Maximilien

Last Friday was the first day in, I don't know, MONTHS, that Tristan and I had to ourselves. No studying, no work, no visitors, just us. So we set off for downtown to have a leisurely lunch, walk around in the sunshine and shop.

As expected, Pike Place Market was bursting at the seams with tourists. We considered grabbing lunch at one of the popular stands (for me, a falafel from Mr. D's Greek Delicacies, and for Tristan, a thick pastrami sandwich from the I Love New York Deli) but were too lackadaisical to brave the crowds. Instead we acknowledged this much-needed respite by treating ourselves to an indulgent lunch at the very French, very lovely, Maximilien.

Besides the delicious food, the primary reason we chose this particular spot was their coveted outdoor patio, which is a real commodity here in Seattle. It overlooks the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains - an unbeatable way to eat lunch!

Everything on the menu looked enticing - Croque Madame, Tarte Flambee Paysanne, Dungeness Crab Cake, Steamed Mussels, Salade Nicoise - but we both settled on the special: a thick filet of sole in a saffron cream sauce with fingerling potatoes, asparagus and carrots. Along with a Kir Royal for me and an iced Lillet Blanc for Tristan, our lunch at Maximilien was the perfect way to celebrate nothing in particular.

Chez Shea

Last weekend marked a momentous occasion: Tristan graduated from law school (and perhaps even more momentous, I survived three years of Tristan being in law school). Despite the fact that it's not quite over -- he has about a month and a half to prepare for the dreaded BAR exam -- we stopped everything and took the weekend to celebrate. And what better way than a luxurious dinner (thanks to very generous parents) at Chez Shea.

Chez Shea is a romantic French restaurant located in Seattle's historic Pike Place Market. With colossal half moon windows overlooking the market, white linen tables and glowing candlelight, it's an exceptional place to mark a cornerstone. Since it was a splurging sort of night, our table indulged in the Tasting Menu: seven carefully prepared, locally inspired French dishes paired with the perfect wine accompaniment.

A dinner like this made the past three years of law school lunacy fade away. I suppose it was similar to childbirth - going through it was hell but the payoff was so sweet. The foie gras course alone made me wish Tristan were graduating from law school more often.

Westcott Bay Oysters on the Half Shell

Organic Asparagus Soup with Tomato Oil

Artisan Sonoma Foie Gras Two Ways
(Foie Gras Terrine & Seared Foie Gras, Poached Apricot, Brioche Toast)

Alaskan Black Cod

(Black Rice, Broccolini & Saffron Tomato Sauce)

Painted Hills Natural Tenderloin of Beef
(Baby Carrots, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Morel Butter & Demi Glace)

Fromage
(Roquefort, Saint Andre & Petit Agour

Mango Sorbet

Tea and Crumpets

We had company this weekend. Tristan's cousin Kate flew up from Oakland to check out Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA and then made her way north to hang out with us. It was a fabulous night with dinner, drinks and good conversation until the wee hours. She was leaving the next day and after very little thought, we knew just where to take her for breakfast: The Crumpet Shop, located in Seattle's historic Pike Place Market.

Their airy, soft crumpets are made on-site in a little bakery, which can be viewed from inside through a large glass window. Toasted crumpets are served hot and buttered with your choice of sweet or savory toppings, ranging from orange marmalade, boysenberry jam, nutella, and ricotta, almonds & honey to green eggs, ham & cheese, and our personal favorite, pesto, tomato & English cheddar.

The Market's Crumpet Shop is properly British and offers bottomless cups of whole leaf, pre-steeped teas. And lucky for us, they sell crumpet six-packs to tide us over on those days we can't make it downtown.